He became an estate owner, but his situation changed within two years. He became entangled in numerous lawsuits resulting in the loss of his lands, his money and his reputation. His health also suffered. Bankrupted, Kashinath returned to Amraoti in 1908 to reestablish his medical practice, but he had lost all interest. He was disillusioned and his inner longing caused him to become desperate.
Finally, with his wife's consent, Kashinath gave up his medical practice and closed his dispensary, and on 10 April 1910, both he and his wife set out on pilgrimage. During their travels, the couple went to Omkareshwar Temple, on Mandhata Hill in Central India, a Hindu place of pilgrimage along the sacred Narmada River.
One day in a nearby secluded forest, while Kashinath was absorbed in deep concentration, his body received a powerful shock and he fainted. His breathing stopped and he appeared to be dead. Kashinath's wife was frightened and she sprinkled water on his body. After a while he regained consciousness, but though his body had withstood the inner experience of samadhi, he suffered difficulty in breathing for more than a year.
The Song's echo intensified and a voice asked, "O Kashinath, who is singing? Who is singing in your heart?" Still bewildered, Kashinath did not know. He became even more restless to find the answer.
With difficulty Kashinath and his wife left Omkareshwar and journeyed to Nagpur. He was treated there for his respiratory obstruction, but the medicine had no positive effect. Kashinath's intense longing to see the Singer was so deep that this very restlessness was the internal cause of his hampered breathing; no doctor could understand this. Kashinath wept out of longing: "O Singer, why are you so cruel? Is it forbidden to show me your face? Why do you burn me in this fire of separation? My mind is reduced to ashes in the flames of your love. Won't you now reveal your face to my ashes?"
Sadguru Narayan Maharaj was visiting Nagpur and Kashinath was drawn to have his darshan. The program had not yet begun and many people were waiting in line. Kashinath joined them, but when the darshan was about to begin, Narayan beckoned one of his disciples to bring Kashinath to him. Kashinath fell at Narayan Maharaj's feet. After he rose, Narayan removed a garland from his neck and put it around Kashinath's before the waiting congregation of thousands.